Interface Device for Providing Vehicle Services Using a Vehicle and a Mobile Communications Device

1. A method of providing vehicle services using a vehicle and a mobile communications device, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving at a vehicle a wireless communication sent from an interface device physically attached to the mobile communications device, wherein the interface device comprises a housing shaped to closely conform to exterior contours of the mobile communications device so that the housing forms a protective shell around the mobile communications device, and wherein the interface device is physically joined with the mobile communications device in a mating engagement that creates a combined integrated unit that is carried by a vehicle user; (b) linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; (c) determining that the combined integrated unit is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle; (d) automatically establishing a communication session between the combined integrated unit and the vehicle via an application residing in the mobile communications device when the combined integrated unit is within the predetermined distance from the vehicle; and (e) communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communicating device contained in the combined integrated unit.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle module is one of a list that comprises a tire pressure monitoring system, key or vehicle access authentication module, climate control module, alarm module, window lifter module, exterior or interior lighting module, or any module that communicates with a vehicle control module.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the vehicle module and the vehicle control module communicate with each other via a vehicle bus.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (a) further comprises pairing the mobile communications device to the interface device using a Bluetooth connection.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the steps of: sending at least one identifier associated with one vehicle module from the vehicle to the mobile communications device, storing the identifier at the mobile communications device, interface device, or both, obtaining the identifier from the mobile communications device, interface device, or both at the vehicle, comparing the identifier with an identifier stored at the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) further comprises: (b1) establishing a wireless link between the mobile communications device and the vehicle via the interface device; (b2) receiving a request at the vehicle from the mobile communications device for an identifier associated with the vehicle; (b3) validating the request from the mobile communications device; (b4) sending a vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device; and (b5) programming the mobile communications device with the identifier.

7. A method of communication between a vehicle and a mobile communications device, comprising the steps of: (a) pairing a mobile communications device with an interface device associated with the mobile communications device, wherein the interface device comprises a housing shaped to closely conform to exterior contours of the mobile communications device so that the housing forms a protective shell around of the mobile communications device, and wherein the interface device is physically joined with the mobile communications device in a mating engagement that creates a combined integrated unit that is carried by a vehicle user; (b) linking the interface device with one or more vehicle modules; (c) automatically initiating a communication session with the combined integrated unit via an application residing in the mobile communications device when the combined integrated unit is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle; and (d) communicating between one or more vehicle modules and the mobile communications device contained in the combined integrated unit.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the vehicle module is one of a list that comprises a tire pressure monitoring system, key or vehicle access authentication module, climate control module, alarm module, window lifter module, exterior or interior lighting module, or any module that communicates with a vehicle control module.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein step (a) further comprises pairing the mobile communications device to the interface device using a Bluetooth connection.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises, the steps of: sending at least one identifier associated with one vehicle module from the vehicle to the mobile communications device, storing the identifier at the mobile communications device, interface device, or both, obtaining the identifier from the mobile communications device, interface device, or both at the vehicle, comparing the identifier with an identifier stored at the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein step (a) further comprises: (a1) powering up a mobile communications device and running an application residing in the mobile communications device; and (a2) pairing the mobile communications device with an interface device enveloping the mobile communications device.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the steps of: sending at least one identifier associated with one vehicle module to the vehicle via the mobile communications device; and determining that the mobile communications device has been configured for communications with one or more vehicle modules via the interface device.

13. An interface device for use in wireless communication between a vehicle and a mobile communications device, comprising: a housing shaped to closely conform to exterior contours of the mobile communications device so that the housing forms a protective shell around of the mobile communications device, and wherein the interface device is physically joined with the mobile communications device in a mating engagement that creates a combined integrated unit that is carried by a vehicle user; and a wireless communication circuitry embedded within the housing that enables the combined integrated unit to communicate with the vehicle; wherein the wireless communication circuitry includes a processor and computer readable memory located within the housing, the memory being accessible by the processor stores computer readable instructions, wherein the processor operates upon execution of the instructions to (a) receive a request from the mobile communications device via an application residing in the mobile communications device, (b) send this request to the vehicle; and (c) automatically initiate communication with the vehicle via the application when the combined integrated unit is within a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

14. The interface device of claim 13 , wherein the mobile communications device is a mobile phone and the housing is a skin device enveloping the mobile phone.

15. The interface device of claim 13 , wherein the interface device receives power externally from the mobile communications device or the mobile communications device receives power externally from the interface device.

16. The interface device of claim 13 , wherein the interface device further comprises an internal battery that powers up the interface device.